Isaiah 8:17

“And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.”

Isaiah 8:17 (KJV):

“And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.”

Context:Isaiah 8 is a chapter that deals with the impending invasion of Israel by Assyria. God had warned Isaiah about the judgment that would come upon Israel due to their disobedience. In the midst of this warning, Isaiah encourages the people to trust in the Lord and seek His guidance rather than resorting to alliances with foreign nations.

Waiting upon the Lord:The phrase “I will wait upon the Lord” expresses the prophet’s commitment to rely on God and trust in His timing and intervention. It indicates a posture of patience and confident expectation in God’s faithfulness. Waiting upon the Lord involves seeking His will, listening to His voice, and remaining steadfast in faith, even when the situation seems bleak.

Hiding His face from the house of Jacob:The phrase “that hideth his face from the house of Jacob” suggests that God has withdrawn His favour and protection from the people of Israel. Due to their disobedience, God temporarily hides His face from them, allowing them to experience the consequences of their actions. It serves as a call to repentance and a reminder of the need to turn back to God.

Looking for Him:The second part of the verse says, “and I will look for him.” This statement reveals the prophet’s determination to seek God despite the challenges and the absence of visible signs of His presence. It signifies an active pursuit of God, a longing to experience His presence, and a desire to align oneself with His purposes.

Application:

• Trust in God’s timing:Just as Isaiah waited upon the Lord, we are encouraged to trust in God’s timing and not be discouraged when we don’t see immediate results. God’s plans unfold in His perfect timing.
• Seek God’s face:Even when it seems like God is distant, we should actively seek Him, longing for His presence and guidance. Our pursuit of God should be persistent and fervent.
• Repentance and obedience:The hiding of God’s face from Israel reminds us of the importance of obedience and repentance. When we stray from God’s ways, it is essential to turn back to Him and seek forgiveness.
• Patience in challenging times:The context of Isaiah 8 teaches us to remain patient and trust God’s faithfulness, even in the face of difficult circumstances. God is with us, even when His face seems hidden.

In summary, Isaiah 8:17 urges us to wait upon the Lord, seek His face, and remain faithful to Him, even when His presence seems hidden. It is a call to trust, seek, and patiently wait for God’s intervention in our lives.